I shared his confidence on this latter score, but was somewhat less sanguine on some others. There were only two newspapers of any political influence in Wainwright, the “Despatch” and the “Journal,” both operated in the interest of Beasley's party, and neither had “come out” for him. The gossip I heard about our office led me to think that each was waiting to see what headway Sim Peck and his faction would make; the “Journal” especially, I knew, had some inclination to coquette with Peck, Grist, and Company. Altogether, their faction was not entirely to be despised. Thus, my thoughts were a great deal more occupied with Beasley's chances than with the holiday spirit that now, with furs and bells and wreathing mists of snow, breathed good cheer over the town. So little, indeed, had this spirit touched me that, one evening when one of my colleagues, standing before the grate-fire in the reporters' room, yawned and said he'd be glad when to-morrow was over, I asked him what was the particular trouble with to-morrow. “Christmas,” he explained, languidly. “Always so tedious. Like Sunday.” “It makes me homesick,” said another, a melancholy little man who was forever bragging of his native Duluth. “Christmas,” I repeated--“to-morrow!” It was Christmas Eve, and I had not known it! I leaned back in my chair in sudden loneliness, what pictures coming before me of long-ago Christmas Eves at home!--old Christmas Eves when there was a Tree.... My name was called; the night City Editor had an assignment for me. “Go up to Sim Peck's, on Madison Street,” he said. “He thinks he's got something on David Beasley, but won't say any more over the telephone. See what there is in it.” I picked up my hat and coat, and left the office at a speed which must have given my superior the highest conception of my journalistic zeal. At a telephone station on the next corner I called up Mrs. Apperthwaite's house and asked for Dowden. “What are you doing?” I demanded, when his voice had responded. “Playing bridge,” he answered. “Are you going out anywhere?” “No. What's the trouble?” “I'll tell you later. I may want to see you before I go back to the office.” “All right. I'll be here all evening.” I hung up the receiver and made off on my errand.